Chapter 1194: The Heart of London
Perhaps, to some people, fans coming to watch games and support their team is taken for granted; but Li Wei doesn't think so.
In this world, nothing should be taken for granted.
The team and its fans should have a mutually fulfilling and dependent relationship.
Without the team, there would be no fans; but conversely, without fans, there would also be no team.
Even now, the Kansas City Chiefs receive countless handwritten letters from fans every day, expressing their support for Li Wei in this unique way. In an era where social media is widespread, this gesture is particularly rare; and it's the same at the restaurant owned by Li Yi and Jiang Yin.
Jiang Yin often talks to Li Wei, telling him stories of those fans, how Li Wei's performance on the field inspires and changes their lives, and how he sets an example for the younger generation —
"Xiao Wei, you really are changing the world."
The greater the power, the greater the responsibility.
Jiang Yin doesn't want Li Wei to forget his initial purpose, nor does he want him to lose himself.
Even though Jiang Yin just wants Li Wei to be happy, and it would be okay if Li Wei chooses to retire now; but now Jiang Yin gradually understands that Li Wei is not just fighting for himself, he bears invisible dreams and hopes on his shoulders.
So, Li Wei continues to work hard, giving back to his fans as much as he can.
Then, Li Wei spotted the figure he was looking for in the crowd.
Amidst the sea of people, finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack; but Andrew was quite special, as he placed Adam on his shoulders, lifting him high to avoid being swallowed by the surging crowd.
From afar, Li Wei saw Adam, like a giant, among the crowd.
"Adam..."
"Adam!"
Li Wei called out loudly.
Unfortunately, the clamorous calls from all sides swallowed and drowned Li Wei's voice, like feathers thrown into a storm —
As soon as he shouted, everything was thrown right back at him.
"Li Wei ahhhh!"
"Professor, professor, professor!"
Cries from the audience stands mixed with Li Wei's voice and rushed back.
Fortunately, the fans noticed Li Wei's actions and gradually understood, one by one looking in the direction of Li Wei's gaze and started calling out.
Adam. Adam.
One shout after another, finally reaching accurately to the front.
Adam looked back, bewildered: Who's calling me?
Andrew noticed too, looking confused as he turned around with Adam on his back.
"Professor!"
Adam clutched his father's chin, cheering excitedly.
Andrew couldn't believe his eyes and quickly put Adam down. Adam dashed forward, and the bustling crowd naturally parted to make way, escorting Adam smoothly to the side of the field —
At Wembley, the stands and the field were seamlessly connected, allowing players and spectators to celebrate hand in hand.
This allowed Li Wei to carry Adam onto the field.
"Adam, thank you for coming to watch me play." Li Wei gave the little one a big hug and then put his helmet on him.
Obviously, the helmet was too big for Adam, bobbing around on his head.
The sight made Li Wei laugh heartily, "I hope it brings you good luck."
Adam looked at Li Wei, shy but never taking his eyes off him.
His youthful face glowed with excitement and joy, his pupils reflecting the glow falling all around Wembley, full of expectations.
"When I grow up, I want to be like you."
Li Wei was slightly taken aback.
During childhood, watching those top stars on the screen sweating and struggling, they yearned for themselves to shine like the stars, whether it was basketball, football, racing, or skiing, those legends set the benchmarks of dreams, guiding children to find direction on their path of growth.
He never thought that one day, he would become someone else's idol and goal.
A warm tide swelled in his chest, finally blooming like fireworks.
Li Wei revealed a big smile, "Then I need to strive harder. Only by standing higher can I better guide the way."
Adam's eyes lit up, "Just like Polaris."
Li Wei laughed joyfully, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, just like Polaris."
Then, Li Wei stood up, holding Adam, and handed him back to Andrew.
Andrew was overwhelmed with emotions, filled with countless thoughts, yet never knowing how to express them.
A simple "thank you" was on the tip of Andrew's tongue, but before he could utter it, Li Wei had already spoken.
"Thank you."
After speaking, Li Wei didn't wait for a response, he had already turned and left.
Andrew stood there watching Li Wei's departing figure, his blood boiling, yet still not knowing how to express his emotions, only hearing a rumble in his eardrums, as emotions and happiness exploded.
Not just Andrew, all the fans in the stands were witnesses.
There was no media coverage, no pre-arrangement, everything was a spur-of-the-moment impulse, yet the sincerity was genuinely and passionately displayed.
Heart to heart.
In fact, fans are clear-minded, they can tell what's business and what's genuine.
At this moment, looking at Adam's little head in that helmet, they all could feel the weight the helmet carried, eventually turning into a chorus of shouts.
"Li Wei."
Not a rookie, nor professor, not a nickname or alias, just the simplest and most genuine shout, from the heart.
Again, and again, repeated continuously, with endless energy surging from within, unable to stop.
On the field.
Ariana was the first to notice this scene, quietly watching the commotion, finding the figure leaving in a hurry within the crowd.
Swift's voice came from beside, "He won Wembley's heart."
Then Kelsey quipped, "If he wants to, there's nothing he can't win."
Pfft.
Ariana couldn't help either and chuckled softly with Swift, whispering in a voice only she could hear, "Indeed."
Amidst all the clamour and noise, the London Bowl drew to a close —
Yet, the resonance lingered.
Just one game, but it fully ignited energy.
The NFL had been laying the groundwork, fermenting, promoting, and accumulating in London city for a full decade, waiting for that transformation from quantitative to qualitative change.
This year, Goodell finally saw it happen.
The game itself was hailed as the best in ten years, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers both reaching the playoffs last season, their spectacular showdown truly letting London audiences experience what North American fans enjoy, witnessing Kansas City Chiefs showcase their defending champion prowess.
At Wembley, stars were everywhere, even if some had no interest in football, counting stars was already a fun activity. Just the appearance of Ariana and Swift, two top-tier sensations collaborating, caused a temporary social media meltdown, with a massive splash that left Goodell beaming.
Of course, most importantly, is Li Wei.
Just as Kelsey said, who could possibly say no to Li Wei?
Apparently, no one can.